Google Pay Pocket Money Feature Explained Amid Viral Scam Rumours

A new feature inside Google Pay called Pocket Money has recently become a major topic of discussion on social media. Several viral videos are claiming that clicking the Pocket Money option could empty users’ bank accounts and that the feature is part of a scam.

However, technology experts say those claims are false. According to digital payment specialists, the Pocket Money feature is an official and secure tool introduced by Google Pay under the UPI Circle framework to help families manage controlled digital payments.

What Is the Google Pay Pocket Money Feature

The feature is mainly designed for parents and dependent family members. It allows parents to give digital pocket money to children even if the child does not have a separate bank account.

Using the parent’s linked bank account, children can make small payments for expenses such as school canteen purchases, stationery, or local shopping. Parents maintain full control over how much money can be spent and how payments are approved.

How the Feature Works

Parents can set a monthly spending limit of up to Rs 15000 for a child or family member. Every payment made through the linked account can either require approval or work within a predefined limit based on the selected settings.

Google Pay also allows one primary user to add up to five family members under the UPI Circle feature.

Experts say the system includes multiple security layers, including KYC verification and secure UPI authentication, before activation is completed.

Two Payment Control Options Available

The feature offers two different payment modes depending on how much control parents want over transactions.

Under the Full Delegation option, children can make payments directly within the approved spending limit without requiring permission each time.

Under the Approve Each Payment option, every transaction sends a notification to the parent’s phone, and payment is completed only after approval is given.

How Users Can Activate the Feature

To activate the feature, users need to open Google Pay and access the UPI Circle section through the profile menu. Parents can then select family members from their contact list and connect accounts using QR code verification.

Both users must have Google Pay installed on their phones. The setup process also requires identity verification using official government documents and UPI PIN authentication.

Why Users Should Still Stay Careful

Cybersecurity experts say the Pocket Money feature itself is safe, but users should remain alert because fraudsters may misuse the feature’s name to spread fake links or misleading information.

Consumers are advised to activate such features only through the official Google Pay application and avoid clicking on unknown links shared through social media or messaging platforms.

Experts also recommend reading all permissions and payment rules carefully before enabling any new digital banking feature.